Ertz Earns Praise From HS Coach

With their second pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Eagles selected Stanford tight end Zach Ertz.

Chris Babcock was Ertz's tight end coach at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California for three years, before Ertz's days as a Cardinal. On Eagles Draft Live!, Babcock described Ertz as a "hard worker" and a "student of the game."

Babcock first became enamored of Ertz during the latter's freshman year, when he played tight end, quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker, and safety all in one game.

"That's the point where I became a real fan," Babcock said.

Following Ertz at the collegiate level, Babcock has been impressed with Ertz's ability to come up big in clutch situations.

"His best games were against the best teams on (Stanford's) schedule," Babcock said.

Ertz is known for his pass catching abilities, but he has improved in his blocking skills over the years, according to Babcock. Babcock says that Ertz definitely has it in his makeup to "get down and get dirty" as a blocker.

"There are a lot of kids that have ability," Babcock said, "but doing the right thing, working hard, and going to a great school like Stanford and being under the coaching staff and the players' influence there really raised him up a level."